Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly seeking ‘reconciliation’ with King Charles III, following a year marked by tensions and controversies within the royal family. This move comes as the couple plans to spend their fifth consecutive Christmas away from the UK, at their Montecito mansion with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to reach out to King Charles is seen as a significant step towards mending their strained relationship with the royal family. A well-placed source shared that, “Harry and Meghan’s new strategy is reconciliation.” This approach is particularly noteworthy given the events of the past year, including the release of Harry’s memoir “Spare” and the couple’s Netflix show, both of which have stirred considerable attention and controversy.
In his memoir, Prince Harry reportedly unleashed criticism against his stepmother, Queen Camilla, and the Netflix series further highlighted the couple’s challenges within the royal family. Additionally, King Charles and Kate Middleton were named as the alleged ‘racist royals’ in the Dutch version of Omid Scobie’s book “Endgame.” This claim follows previous accusations of racism within the royal family, particularly concerning discussions about the skin color of Harry and Meghan’s son, Archie, before his birth.
Despite these tensions, the Sussexes reached out to King Charles on his 75th birthday last month, marking their first call in six months. During the call, their children sang to the King, a gesture that indicates the couple’s willingness to bridge the gap with the royal family.
The reconciliation attempt is seen as a response to the shifting dynamics within the royal family and the broader context of Harry’s personal life. As he approaches his 40th birthday in September, there is a growing awareness of the importance of family ties and the need to heal past wounds.
The royal family’s last Christmas gathering was in 2018, and since then, the Sussexes have spent the holidays away from the UK. In 2019, they chose to spend Christmas in Canada, shortly before announcing their decision to step back from their roles as senior royals and move to California. The late Queen Elizabeth II’s 2019 Christmas message notably excluded a photo of Harry and Meghan, a move that Harry reportedly felt was an attempt to ‘erase’ them from the royal family.
This year, King Charles recorded his annual Christmas speech at the Chapel of St. George at Windsor Castle, close to where Queen Elizabeth was laid to rest. The speech, which will be broadcast on British network television and in Commonwealth countries, did not mention Harry and Meghan. A palace source emphasized the significance of the photos displayed during the speech, noting, “Everything is carefully curated.”
As the Sussexes plan a video call to King Charles this Christmas as part of their reconciliation strategy, there is hope for improved relations within the royal family. A Sussex source shared, “Of course Harry wants to have a better relationship with Charles. He is his father after all.” This sentiment reflects the couple’s desire to move forward and rebuild connections with their royal relatives.